Matthew 5:17-19 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Can I preach it like I see it?
I don't know about you, but I want to be one of those who are called great in the kingdom of heaven!
Jesus did not do away with the tithe or any part of the law. He came to fulfill them.
He says in verse 19; "Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven".
Jesus believed in giving more than what the requirement asked for. (RECALL THE STORY OF THE WIDOW AND HER MITE)
To the Pharisees He said, *Matt.23:23,
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices-mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law-justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former".
They were like some Christians that you know;
They say; "I give to God my time"
"I give to the poor"
"I help people", Jesus would say to them;
"You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former".
*Proverbs 3:9-10, Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine
Paul said; *1 Cor. 16:2
"On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made".
*1 Tim 6:17-19
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain (TALKING TO US IN THE US), but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
WHAT IS THE TITHE?
*Lev. 27:30-33
"A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord. 31 If a man redeems any of his tithe, he must add a fifth of the value to it. 32 The entire tithe of the herd and flock-every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd's rod-will be holy to the Lord. 33 He must not pick out the good from the bad or make any substitution. If he does make a substitution, both the animal and its substitute become holy and cannot be redeemed".
*Malachi 3:10-12
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the Lord Almighty. 12 "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the Lord Almighty.
Six purposes for tithing
1. It is a commandment from God, Lev. 27:30 and Malachi 3:10-12, 1 Cor.16:2,
2. For the Levites, Numbers
3. Tithes of tithes for the priests and ministers, Numbers
4. Tithe of tithes for the poor and other ministers every three years, Dt. 14:27-29, Det.26:12-14.
5. To supply God's house, Mal.3:10.
6. To honor God, Prov.3:9-10.
If the tithe was borrowed, 20% interest had to be added when paid, Lev.27:31
If it was exchanged both it and the exchange had to be paid, Lev. 27:33
*1 Cor. 16:2
"On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made".